Aspen

So it's been a long time since I've done an update on each of the kids.  I have so much in my head, and am constantly telling myself not to forget this or that detail about one of the kids....Uggh.  Trying to remember the things I told myself not to forget is impossible!

Aspen is 8, and just finishing up 2nd grade at Portland Christian.  I think I forgot to do an update about how we ended up moving him from Scouters Mountain Elementary 2 weeks after school started last September.  Basically, his class had 33 students in it, and after looking at the school calendar for the year, it averaged out to 4 day school weeks.  Knowing we were looking at moving, and with the large class size and budget cut days, we decided to change schools.  He has done incredibly well.  He is at the top of his class, and really loves his school.  He has made huge strides this year specifically in handwriting and reading.  His teacher does not let him get away with sloppy work!  He's always been a good reader, but hasn't loved it.  In the last month, it's like he's just caught on to how much fun reading can be.  His favorite books right now are the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and comical books like that.

There are so many great qualities I see in Aspen right now.
Protective - he's very protective of his younger sisters and brother.  It freaks him out if he sees Willow doing something he feels could be dangerous.  He also watches over Teague when he is home to make sure Willow or Journey aren't being too rough with him.

He is incredibly loving toward me.  He tells me every day, multiple times a day how much he loves me, that I'm the best mom/girl in the whole world, and that he will never stop loving me.  Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself or soak in the moment, or something to freeze and remember how he is right now.  Sadly, I know it won't last!  At least, not the way it is now.  I don't remember being that openly loving as a child.  I feel so lucky and often surprised at how uninhibited his is in his love.

He has a great attitude.  There has only been once. ONCE.  The entire year that I've picked him up from school, asked him how his day was, and he said he had a bad day.  And that one day he got into the car pissed!  The girls (usually Willow) now often ask him how his day was when he gets in the car.  It makes me smile every time to hear them ask him how his day was because by their tone of voice you can tell they really do care about how it went.  It usually prompts him to in turn ask us how our day was.  I love those small details.  It always makes my afternoon!

Each month, the school focuses on a different character trait, and honors one student from each class at the end of the month at a chapel.  This month (June) Aspen was chosen for Patience.  I'm not going to lie, Mark and I were extremely proud of him at the chapel.  Like beaming, and trying not to cry proud, haha

His teacher had 5 boys from his class come up and help give the award.  They each read one of the following about him:
A - always has a great attitude
S - smiles show his kindness
P- polite and respectful
E - enjoyable to be around
N- never complains

Honestly, parenting is hard work.  You put so much time, energy, effort and passion into doing your best.  Him being recognized like this is kind of like being given an award as a parent.  Like all the work and effort you have put into training him have made a recognizable difference.  Also when I thought about it, this really is a very fitting character trait award.  He has three younger siblings, not to mention all the younger cousins that have helped develop patience in him.  He is really incredible with Peyton, in particular.  Aspen is over 3 years older than Peyton and about double his size, but they just love each other.  Aspen is so patient and helpful with him.  I love seeing them together.

One other thing that I have to say about Aspen is that he is super helpful around the house and just loves his little brother.  He gives Teague lots of attention, and tells him all the time how much he loves him that he's the best little brother ever :)